More flash for the cash would help

Originally published: January 24, 2012

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

The electrification of the mass-produced automobile has finally arrived to Canada in the form of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, and more models expected this coming year. With the growing number of plug-in options, the big question is whether the public has the appetite to “take a chance” on something new, given that there are very fuel-efficient gasoline, hybrid and diesel models currently available. Another hurdle for many prospective electric car buyers is the price of admission, as these alternatives to electric vehicles are far less expensive to purchase, even with the provincial government rebates on electric vehicle purchases. If hybrid cars are the barometer of electric car sales, the road to electrification will be slow; in the 10-plus years hybrids have been available in Canada, only 60,000 have been purchased. That’s about the number of Honda Civics sold in one year. For the small number of buyers who are willing to take a chance on something new, however, the Nissan Leaf is a very interesting car.

The Skin

Nissan has struck a nice balance of traditional hatchback design with a futuristic, “green” look. There is no question the Leaf is something special, mostly due to the fact it has no tailpipe and it has a flip-up cover on the hood that conceals the electric receptacle. The Leaf comes standard with an “opportunity” 120V charging cord that has a regular electrical plug on one end and a universal electric-car plug on the other. With this setup, it takes roughly eight hours to fully charge the Leaf. To charge using a 240V electrical current (the same power used for an electric stove or washing machine), a charging station must be installed at the owners expense and might not be possible in all homes. In order to plug the Leaf in at my home, I needed to park in my back lane and run the cord from my garage. Not ideal, and having a proper 240V setup would make life much easier for everyday use.

The Cockpit

With a starting price of $38,395, the Leaf has a distinct advantage over the more expensive Chevrolet Volt. Keep in mind that the Volt has an on-board, gasoline-powered generator to extend the range of that car, where the Leaf is all battery. The Leaf’s price has to be referenced in terms of interior finish, because at this price it competes with luxury cars, which it is not. Basic but comfortable is a great way to describe the Leaf. The dash is ultra clean with the centre screen providing the bling in terms of battery information. The instrument pod behind the wheel also provides state-of-charge information and range updates. The seats are large and supportive and the back seat is perfect for most families. However, the interior isn’t luxurious, and this might be one reason buyers who can afford this vehicle will give it a pass.

The Ride

In perfect conditions, the Leaf is capable of travelling 160 kilometres on one charge when running in the “eco” mode. In real world conditions, with the heat, radio and other electrical items running in the regular “drive” mode, that one-charge range reduces drastically. In my case, down to just 105 km. Another interesting phenomenon is the kilometres driven do not always correlate into the range available. For example, a six-kilometre drive used 20 clicks worth of electricity, but on another 20-km drive, the charge barely changed due to the downhill grade of my trip. This uncertainty was never really a big concern because I live in an area close to downtown where only short trips are required, but long suburban commutes might be a different story. Apart from this range anxiety aspect, the Leaf’s driving experience is very rewarding thanks to the almost silent drive system, the low centre of gravity and surprisingly powerful electric motor.

The Good, The Bad

Good: The Leaf’s electric charge status is available on your smart phone.

Bad: Not sure if buyers who can afford the Leaf will be attracted to the interior.

Zack’s verdict

I’m not a fan of putting government rebates on personal transportation for residents who buy an electric car like this Leaf. Car manufacturers and governments must realize that there are plenty of people who can afford a Leaf — just look at the roads filled with BMWs Mercedes, Lexus and other luxury models. This car and other electric cars should be tailored to the people who have the means to buy them, and hopefully second-generation electric vehicles will be less expensive. For people who have limited funds, Nissan also offers the lowest priced car on the market; the Versa at just $11,798 and it gets great fuel economy. Inexpensive, compact cars are much cheaper and very thrifty to run, which is why value buyers will give the Leaf a pass. If, however, your new car budget is $40,000, do yourself a favour and drive a Nissan Leaf — it has one of the smoothest, quietest rides on the market.